The Best Educational Toys For Toddlers

This post is sponsored by The Baby Cubby. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I find that a lot of parents have the same sentiment regarding toys for their children: most of them are cheap and pointless. Toy aisles are filled with “junk” that is exciting in the store but then fails to keep a child’s interest and get played out quickly. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve got our fair share of trendy toys here, but they usually end up on toy rotation and are only interesting once they have been out of sight for a while.

There are several high quality toys we’ve come across that are wonderful learning tools and offer entertainment for an extended age range. If I’m spending money on toys then I want them to be durable, encourage imaginative play, and ideally be enjoyed by both of my children (who are currently 1 and 3 years of age).

Sensory Toys

Sensory development toys are great beginning in the infant stages. Toys that contain different textures, colors, moveable pieces, sounds, etc. really help to develop a child’s senses. They learn how to manipulate different structures and enjoy different sensations. Many different toys can be used to develop senses. I really love the Hape Toys Beaded Raindrops which encourages problem solving by trying to get all the beads to the opposite end while creating a soothing raindrop like sound.

Building Toys

Building toys are always a lot of fun and an opportunity for learning play. Blocks are enjoyed by young infants through older toddlers so investing in a set that will last is worth it. We recently got a set of tegu magnetic wooden blocks and they were a huge hit with the whole family! I love wooden toys as I find them to be of better quality and these are exceptional. Plus the magnets help keep buildings from completely dismantling in case a godzilla-like little brother enters the room. I plan to purchase some additional tegu blocks to add to our set because they have been such a hit.

Unique Learning Toys

This category of toys is kind of a free-for-all because I didn’t know how to label them, haha! These little Squigz are really exciting. They are made of high-grade silicone and have little suction cups to stick on almost any flat surface. They come in a variety of shapes and can be linked together in endless combinations. My toddlers really enjoy these and I love that they encourage fine motor skills in my little guy and visual thinking and concentration in my three year old.

Where To Shop For The Best Educational Toys For Toddlers

The Baby Cubby offers “the best of everything baby” including gorgeous nursery decor, baby gear, designer diaper bags and maternity wear, and a unique range of educational toys for infants and toddlers. The brands are high quality and well-known in the baby industry, so you can be confident in your purchases. I noticed several brands that we have at home here like Hape, SkipHop, Petunia Pickle Bottom, and EZPZ just to name a few. And a few brands I’ve lusted over like Little Unicorn (can you have too many swaddle blankets?? No?), Baby Jogger, Stokke, and Timi & Leslie. Since I also care about non-toxic and environmentally friendly products I was really happy to see that The Baby Cubby has a wide selection of items that fall under this umbrella.

Comments

Some of the toys that have lasted through all three of my children were building toys and imaginary play toys. I’m so grateful my thoughtful family always selects educational toys for them for various holidays. When shopping for my nieces and nephews, I need to keep these in mind to continue the valuable practice.

Our favorite toys are the kitchen and it’s accessories. Both my 3 year old and 10 month old play with it (one just opens and closes the doors haha). We cook a lot and they both mimic that now. I also LOVE that it doesn’t sing or make noise! I *might* accidentally remove batteries from obnoxious toys

These are all such cute toys, I love that there is so many options for little ones. My youngest is 5 now and I am always surprised how much things have changed in such a short time with toddlers and babies.